There are some locations in Kolkata that reflect the long history of the city and the struggles the people had to deal with. Some of those issues have always been poverty, helplessness, abandonment, homelessness and hunger. While many people did not pay attention to these people and their sufferings, some vowed to help people in need. Such was the famous personality Mother Teresa who devoted her whole life in the services of the needy and underprivileged. She created the Missionaries of Charity Organization in order to work full time to give care to the needy. The Mother House Kolkata is the headquarter of this organization and is a popular site to visit. It is also more like a site of pilgrimage as Mother’s tomb is here. People from all around the world visit here to seek her blessings, offer her prayer and also to meditate.
This is one such location amidst the city of Kolkata that can offer you a lot of peace. Moreover this is also a location where people visit to meditate and to spend some time in peace. So if you are ever visiting Kolkata make sure you pay a visit to the Mother House Kolkata. A visit to the Mother House can certainly be insightful for you as you will also get an insight about the activities of the community. Furthermore you can also visit the museum here as well to get a reflection of Mother’s life. Keep on reading this article as I will mention everything that you probably need to know about the Mother House. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip there soon.
Mother House Kolkata
Location: 54. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Beniapukur, Maula Ali, Kolkata, West Bengal
Timings: The Mother House Kolkata timings are from 8 am to 12 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm on all days except Thursday. Thursday is a holiday. Also Mother House remains closed on Easter Monday, 22nd August and 26th December.
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
How to Reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the Mother House is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. From the airport Mother House is 16.4 km away and you can reach there in about 42 minutes. You can easily take buses to reach the location from the airport. Or else you can take a cab or a yellow taxi as well to reach there conveniently.
By train
If you are travelling by train then the nearest railway station to reach there is the Sealdah Railway Station. From the Sealdah Station the Mother House is located at a distance of 2.1 km. You can easily walk up to the location from the railway station in about 14 minutes. Another major railway station to reach the Mother House is the Howrah Station. From Howrah Station the location is 7 km away. You can easily reach there in about 29 minutes. Either you can take the buses to reach there or else you can also opt for a yellow taxi or a cab as well to reach there conveniently.
By road
You can opt for the city buses to reach there from various parts of the city. Both regular buses as well as AC buses are available to reach there. You will have to get a bus going towards Manicktala and Park Circus and get down near the Mother House. Or else you can take the taxis or hire a cab to reach the Mother House from any part of the city and beyond.
By metro
It will be convenient to reach the Mother House by metro as well. And to reach there the nearest metro station is the Park Street Metro Station. From the Park Street Metro Station the Mother House is 2.2 km away. You can either take a bus or take a cab or taxi to reach there in about 10 minutes.
Overview of Mother House
Mother House Kolkata is not exactly a tourist destination but more of a site of pilgrimage. Nevertheless this is a serene place that attracts a huge number of visitors on a regular basis from all around the world. This location is basically the Missionaries of Charity Headquarter. Founded back in 1950 the main aim of the formation of Mother House was to dedicate a life towards selfless service towards the underprivileged. The members here take a vow that they would provide selfless and free service to the poorest of the people. Along with that they also take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as well. From providing a home to people affected with leprosy, tuberculosis or HIV / AIDS to arranging counseling programs for children and their family they work effortlessly. Also they have their orphanages and schools that impart education and provide a decent lifestyle to the underprivileged.
Along with that there is a small museum as well with the name “Mother Teresa’s Life, Spirit and Message”. This museum houses the belongings of Mother Teresa like her sari, her worn sandals, handwritten notes by her, enamel dinner bowl, crucifix etc. This location is important as it was the last resting place for Mother before she was buried in a tomb inside the house. People visit here to pray and meditate as well. It is indeed a very peaceful and positive location. So you must visit the Mother House once to soak in some positivity.
History of Mother House
The foundation of The Charity or The Mother House Kolkata goes back to 7th October 1950. There were only 12 members here when it first came into being, including Mother herself. The main aim behind the foundation of this community was to help and support the underprivileged. The members of the community prioritized the homeless, hungry, handicapped or sick people to help them with the necessities of life. Both adults as well as children came under their supervision and the members started taking care of the needy.
With time the community that started with only 12 people elaborated and grew to become the Missionaries of Charity. Soon their work started spreading even outside the boundary of the city. Mother took permission from the Vatican to establish a church in the city as well. Soon in 1965 Pope Paul VI issued a decree to Mother. According to that Mother got the grants to expand the charity works of her missionary even outside the country. Therefore soon Mother opened many more centres in more than 100 countries including Venezuela, Tanzania, Rome etc.
The community of sisters soon started getting more and more recognition from all around the world. And with that a community of Brothers also came into being in 1979. The Priest Branch of the Brothers got the name Missionary of Charity Fathers in 1984. To form this community Father Joseph Langford assisted Mother Teresa. Venezuela was the first ever country that housed the Missionary of Charity outside India. Later it expanded to countries like the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa as well.
In 1990 Mother resigned from the position of head of the Missionary due to poor health conditions. However again the members re voted her to take up the position of the head. Finally she agreed to serve as the head and she did it till 1997 till she passed away. She passed away in the same room where she was staying at the Mother House Kolkata in 1997, 5th September.
Inside Mother House
Mother Teresa or Mother as she is popularly called was a well known social worker. After her canonization she lived in a very small room on the first floor of the Mother House. From 1953 to 1997 which is almost 50 years she stayed there in that small room. The room only had space for a bed, a desk and a bench which Mother used. The bed had a very thin metal frame and the mattress was also very thin. A little away from her bed she had the desk and bench which was her workstation. That was all that was there inside Mother’s Room. Also this is the same room where she breathed her last as well. It is possible for the visitors currently to visit the room. But photography is not allowed inside the room.
Mass at Mother House
Mother House has both daily masses as well as pilgrim group masses here. The daily mass timing is at 6 am everyday in the Main Chapel. The Sisters and the Volunteers of the house attend the Holy Mass. Furthermore there is the pilgrim mass as well which the Mother’s tomb arranges and a priest accompanies them too. These masses are always notified in advance. Further there are special weekly masses here as well that take place every Friday at Mother’s tomb. After that there is a special blessing that they offer to the relic at the end of the mass.
Things to remember before visiting Mother House
1. You cannot click photographs inside the Mother’s room so please follow the rules.
2. Do not make unnecessary noises here and maintain silence.
3. This location is the residence of the sisters of the Missionary so maintain the decorum of the place.
4. This is not a tourist destination, and mostly a site of pilgrimage. So you must maintain the rules and regulations there.
5. It would be best if you can switch off your mobile phones before entering. However if that is not possible do keep your phone on silent mode.
6. If you need any assistance or guidance regarding the location or a visit there then you can talk to the Sisters there. They are really helpful in all the ways so you can talk to them.
Nearby places to visit from Mother House
- St. James Church
- Birla Planetarium
- Victoria Memorial
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Fort William
- BBD Bagh
- Princep Ghat
Wrapping Up!
The Mother House Kolkata is not like any other regular tourist spot in the city but definitely one such location which is indeed the pride of the city. This is a peaceful site that you can visit to explore. Also you can meditate there or offer your prayers as well. Visiting the museum and Mother’s room will also be interesting. After a visit there you would get an idea about the various charitable activities that they are involved in. Moreover, you will also get a reflection about Mother’s simple life and her activities as well. So when are you planning a visit to this location in the heart of the city? Also let me know if this particular article is helpful for you in knowing about the Mother House Kolkata.
